Wee Wooly Rabbit

Don't be afraid to be different

Little Bear

Whooo Meee?

"Little Golden Books" Kitty

Ellie & Friends ~ Vintage Pattern

Lucky Irish Rabbit

Nap Time Mouse

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Hi all, hope everyone had a pleasant Christmas. My husband and I spent the last few weeks battling a nasty cold but that didn't stop us from traveling to my mother-in laws place for the holidays. We spent a pleasant few days there and then headed back home...up and over the mountains. What a gorgeous drive it was...I love it when the sky clears on those high mountain passes...the trees are cloaked in snow and everything looks so brilliant...little diamonds sparkle in the drifts along the highway...

Arriving home after Christmas always makes me feel nostalgic and a bit forlorn. I think about the past year and wonder what the new year will hold. I think about all I have to be thankful for, all the things I did and all that has come to pass...

Then feelings of expectation and excitement run through me...a New Year, a whole new year, a fresh start. I sit and day dream about what I want to accomplish...no resolutions, just goals. What do I want to dedicate this year to? There are so many possibilities.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Frost performs its secret ministry,
Unhelped by any wind. The owlet’s cry
Came loud--and hark, again! loud as before.
The inmates of my cottage, all at rest,
Have left me to that solitude, which suits
Abstruser musings: save that at my side
My cradled infant slumbers peacefully.
’Tis calm indeed! so calm, that it disturbs
And vexes meditation with its strange
And extreme silentness. Sea, hill, and wood,

This populous village! Sea, and hill, and wood,
With all the numberless goings-on of life,
Inaudible as dreams! the thin blue flame
Lies on my low-burnt fire, and quivers not;
Only that film, which fluttered on the grate,
Still flutters there, the sole unquiet thing.
Methinks, its motion in this hush of nature
Gives it dim sympathies with me who live,
Making it a companionable form,
Whose puny flaps and freaks the idling Spirit
By its own moods interprets, every where
Echo or mirror seeking of itself,
And makes a toy of Thought.

But O! how oft,
How oft, at school, with most believing mind,
Presageful, have I gazed upon the bars,
To watch that fluttering stranger! and as oft
With unclosed lids, already had I dreamt
Of my sweet birth-place, and the old church-tower,
Whose bells, the poor man’s only music, rang
From morn to evening, all the hot Fair-day,
So sweetly, that they stirred and haunted me
With a wild pleasure, falling on mine ear
Most like articulate sounds of things to come!

So gazed I, till the soothing things, I dreamt,
Lulled me to sleep, and sleep prolonged my dreams!
And so I brooded all the following morn,
Awed by the stern preceptor’s face, mine eye
Fixed with mock study on my swimming book:
Save if the door half opened, and I snatched
A hasty glance, and still my heart leaped up,
For still I hoped to see the stranger’s face,
Townsman, or aunt, or sister more beloved,
My play-mate when we both were clothed alike!

Dear Babe, that sleepest cradled by my side,
Whose gentle breathings, heard in this deep calm,
Fill up the intersperséd vacancies
And momentary pauses of the thought!
My babe so beautiful! it thrills my heart
With tender gladness, thus to look at thee,
And think that thou shalt learn far other lore,
And in far other scenes! For I was reared
In the great city, pent ’mid cloisters dim,
And saw nought lovely but the sky and stars.

But thou, my babe! shalt wander like a breeze
By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags
Of ancient mountain, and beneath the clouds,
Which image in their bulk both lakes and shores
And mountain crags: so shalt thou see and hear
The lovely shapes and sounds intelligible
Of that eternal language, which thy God
Utters, who from eternity doth teach
Himself in all, and all things in himself.
Great universal Teacher! he shall mould
Thy spirit, and by giving make it ask.

Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether the summer clothe the general earth
With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798)

I took these photos on Bonniebrook Beach near my house. An early morning walk revealed Mr.Frosts Handiwork.

Friday, November 30, 2012

I couldn't help myself...had to have some fun in the photo editing department. Jasper, our Brussels Griffon pup is indeed growing up. He is five months old now and is a joy as well as a Holy Terror extraordinaire!!! Is it any wonder I don't get any work done...

Sunday, November 18, 2012

This little critter has been lovingly needle felted with sheep's fleece...I then added two tiny glass bead eyes, an embroidery floss nose and distressed fabric ears. To add a touch of color a sweet little seam binding bow was tied around his neck.He sits on his wool felt pin cushion which is embellished with a large Holly Berry, leaves and tiny rusty bells. Last but not least, an aged Merry Christmas tag is pinned to the side. This piece is 4.5 inches tall and the cushion is 6 inches long by 4.5 inches wide. This is not a toy and is intended for the adult collector only.

Price ___ US plus $15.00 for shipping and insurance to anywhere in the US or Canada. Payment by PayPal only please. Email me to purchase, I will then send you a PayPal money request. Email me button on upper right of screen.

Sold

A hand-painted wool felt bat with black glass bead eyes, an embroidered nose and chenille stem feet. A seam binding bow sits around his neck. This unique little guy loves striking a pose while he sits on his wool felt pumpkin with hand curled wire vines. This piece is 6 inches tall. This is not a toy and is intended for the adult collector only.

Price is ___ US plus 15.00 US for shipping and insurance to anywhere in the US or Canada. Payment by PayPal only please. Email me to purchase and I will then send you a PayPal money request. Email me button on upper right of screen.

Thank-you for visiting and please join my mailing list if you would like to receive my future blog sale updates.

Hello my friends...just wanted to introduce you to my latest creations. These two have been in the works for a while and a third is sitting on my work bench waiting to be finished. I have had a few requests for a sheep so I have tried my best to give you one...hopefully more will be in the works later in the winter season. I just finished ordering a big bag of curly sheep's fleece to needle-felt with so I am patiently waiting for it to arrive. The little sheep above is a Christmas pin-keep with lots of little details such as a red wool holly berry and green holly leaves. A little tag with Merry Christmas is pinned to the side. The cushion is sewn from wool felt and has little rusty bells going all the way around it. Its been a while since I have needle felted...it was fun to watch this little guys character come out as more wool was added on.

And then there is this wee bat...a bat you say...kinda late in the season for bats...I think not. He was a little offended when I told him that folks sometimes put bats out only for Halloween...he said, "That's not very nice to us bats...we actually don't like to be kept in closets and dusty boxes till Halloween comes around...its dark and spooky and just a little stuffy. We like to be out all year...not just on Halloween." So I told him I would make sure he goes to a home that will look after him and treat him like the perfect gentleman he is...with respect and not to put him in a dark stuffy box with no air holes so he can't breath. Well he got all puffed up and spread his wings out wide and flapped with glee....."oh thank you, oh thank you for looking after me!"

A wool felt hand painted bat sits on a white wool harvest pumpkin...and yes...perfectly suitable for keeping out all year!

Your invited

THESE PIECES AND PERHAPS A THIRD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18TH BETWEEN 3 AND 3:20 PM (PACIFIC TIME) HERE ON MY BLOG. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL ONLY ACCEPT PAYMENT BY PAYPAL. YOU WILL HAVE TO EMAIL ME TO PURCHASE A PIECE...EMAIL ME BUTTON IS ON UPPER RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME IF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I have wanted to recreate this French Canadian rug for quite some time and I am happy to say it is finally finished. This last week I whip stitched the edges, steamed it and gave it a good going over with the lint brush. It is a smallish rug at 17" inches tall x 31" inches wide. I whipped stitched the edges with a variegated colored wool which I think matches the rug quite nicely. I thought this pattern to be rather strange...with those psychedelic colored muchrooms and little daiseys here and there...its almost reminds me of those 1960's black velvet posters you could color in with felt pens...I loved those posters and remember coloring quite a few of them during my summer holidays spent at the cabin.

This Squirrel hooked rug was featured in this Craft Journal which was published by the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec quite a few years ago. You can no longer order this particular booklet much to my disappointment...as it seems I have lost my one and only copy. Just a note that I did email the museum to get permission to adapt these rug patterns for my own use.

In May of 2011 I did a blog post on another rug which was featured in this booklet, you can click the link below to see it.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Back in the "Hands and Heart to Work" post a couple posts back I mentioned I was working on a piece that was to be part of a Swap...well, I finished it and thought I would share it with you.

The women I am swapping with is none other then Paula Sibbald the owner and designer behind Kelmscott Designs. I love the things Paula creates and I am sure a lot of you have her scissors, mother of pearl accessories, needle minders etc. in your sewing baskets.
Needless to say I was a little intimidated at having to create a
piece for her. She did however give me a wish list...pink, she collects hearts, a
mouse or bird, she really liked my punch needle work and she preferred
fabric that didn't have a busy pattern to it.

Well
I think I was successful in incorporating pretty much everything from her wish list, the needle punch part...well...my tennis elbow just put up to much of a
fight! Instead of the punch needle detail I instead incorporated a cross stitched Letter P Monogram(for Paula of course) from one of those old Sajou cross stitch design booklets. I used three strands of Valdani Pink variegated floss to stitch it.

A wee fuzzy mouse wearing his pink woolly coat sits perched on top.Last but not least, I collected a few other goodies to give her...all in shades of pink.It was back in February of this year that Paula contacted me to inquire about my work...a swap was agreed upon, but life somehow got to busy and I wasn't able to complete this swap. Sorry I took so long Paula...I hope the wait was worth it!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

I had to share this blog with you all...I felt such sympathy for this Mom of three. She broke down and did an experiment...she stopped cleaning up after her kids for a week...it was a revelation. She is a wonderful writer who has a great sense of humor and more patience than I will ever have. Now I don't have kids but I can still relate, I know how anal I can be in regards to keeping a neat and tidy home. Just for fun my sweet husband will sneak around and move objects...just to see if I will notice...and of course I do. Do I have a problem, maybe. Do I always have to have the sink empty and the counter sparkling, the couch pillows poofed and the floor swept...not anymore. Since we moved into this house a year ago I promised myself to not be such a perfectionist...in the housekeeping department...I still have my days and am a work in progress. Anywho...go read her blog...it will make you feel good! Go back to the older posts to get to the beginning...I really loved that she put her kids lunches in doggy poo poo bags...

Saturday, October 6, 2012

This week I finally got into my studio to work...something I haven't done for a very long time. It was months and months ago that I promised to take part in a swap with a women whom I very much admire. As life would have it, I never did get around to completing this swap and all summer I have been brooding and lamenting this fact. Well, time seems to be on my side right now and life's ups and downs have settled and calmed. So I am happy to report that it is hands and heart to work...

With fall's arrival I am finding that my creative juices are again flowing...something about those cool crisp days seem to spark my imagination.

Stay tuned for more home renovation photos, a blog give-away and of course, some wee furrys that will be available for adoption here on my Mouse Droppings Blog.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Hello all...jee whiz...do I even remember how to create a blog post...it's been sooo long since I have written anything. I do have some news to share...a brand new family member to introduce you to...meet Lil Jasper, a teeny tiny Brussels Griffon pup. This little guy took over our lives about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. He makes us smile every time we look at him. His antics and clownish behavior entertain us all day and I so love it when he gets the zoomies outside in the yard, he runs around like the Tasmanian devil. Jasper is also a love bug...all he wants is to be held...especially in the mornings when he gets cold...I throw my sweater in the dryer for a while then take it out and wrap him in it...pure bliss for both of us! A morning cup of coffee, a warm sweater with a pup inside...ahhhh...life is good!

An Afternoon Siesta

My original plans were to get a bigger dog but with my Mom getting so sick this past summer and my Dad's continuing need for our help and support, I decided instead to get a small dog. A dog I could travel with and take on the plane with me. I know my parents will be needing us more and more so the commitment of taking on a large dog just didn't make sense. I am happy and so glad I made this decision...this little guy has become a real comfort and a much loved companion to me...he reminds me of a cross between a Gremlin and those cute little Ewoks from Star Wars...a face only a mother could love...

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Just want to say thank-you to everyone for your sweet comments and support. I am getting a feeling that some of you may think from my previous post that my mom has passed...not so...she has been very very sick and continues to battle a host of serious ailments that keeps her in hospital. We all tried our best to look after her at home but we just couldn't give her the professional care that she so badly needed...it is a continuing battle as I mentioned...but we are staying positive and hoping that she will be able to rally.

Again you are all so kind and thoughtful...please keep sending all those wonderful well wishes.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

It has been a rather tumultuous summer for myself and my family...for the last two months my mom has been very ill, so ill that I had to fly to Saskatchewan to help my Dad with her care.

It can be so hard to watch your parents as they age...the difficulties that aging can bring to their lives...the changes that can so unexpectedly happen.

In a lot of ways these past two months have enlightened me and taught me many things. It has been a time of growth for me, an experience that has shown me the power of compassion, love and commitment.

How when bad things happen a family can pull together and be strong and unbreakable...how when one member feels like giving up, another member will step in to lend a shoulder for crying, a heart for loving, and a will to help you carry on.

The battle isn't over but a least we have each other...and no one will ever be left alone.

Monday, April 23, 2012

It has been 10 months of constant work, ripping out flooring, cupboards, bathrooms, painting...and more...as evidenced from these renovation photos. We are tired but elated at the progress we have made. I felt really good posting these before and after photos...its kinda weird to look at them and think of all that we have done in the last few months. A bit of a visual diary...

Before

When we moved in we had decided to live in this home a while before we started to do anything...but alas the reno bug hit and I couldn't sit still. So out came my thinking hat and I started to plan and scheme.
My hubby said go for it...so I did...and he being the wonderful husband that he is became my carpenter, plumber, tile setter & electrician...and so much more...thank you honey for all you have done. We worked hard and made a great team!

After

Antique reproduction grey cabinet from Donald Kirkby's 18th C Atelier. The cabinet holds my collection of white Medalta farm bowls that I have been amassing for some years now.

The small white cabinet is an antique kitchen piece which I purchased back in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. On the wall is a old grain sifter...I have placed a nest, shells and feathers on the inside rim. The ceiling mounted chandelier is from Pennsylvania. Everything sits on our new slate floor.

Antiqued oil rubbed black kitchen cabinets and island with Walnut butcher block top.Doing 98% of the work ourselves allowed us to splurge on the kitchen. I have never been a fan of those all white kitchens...I prefer warm and cozy...dark and rustic.

Before

After

We put in a gas stove, stainless steel appliances, white apron farm sink and a granite counter-top. A tile back-splash will be installed at a later date.

Home Sweet Home

Thanks you so much for your comments...sorry if I haven't gotten back to you...spring has sprung and I have been busy in the garden as well as unpacking all the stuff that has been in the garage for the last 10 months.
Have a sunshiny day!
Susan

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Oh happy days our home renovations are 95% complete and I can finally start unpacking the boxes that have been stored in our garage for the last 10 months...time to play...hang some pictures...add the little details that make a home.

I am a bit of an old fashioned gal and I like my homes to be a little old fashioned to. When we started doing our renos I knew that I wanted an old world rather Primitive farmhouse look.

I asked Dave Coyle...a local craftsman specializing in
antique reproductions to create our bathroom vanity...a painted and antiqued pine cupboard. I really want to keep things plain and simple and his vanity fits right in with that vision. I got my hubby to install the bowl sink and the hand pump style faucet. The lighting was purchased from EBay and was handcrafted in Pennsylvania. Last but not least I hung an antique mirror and picture...& a fresh spring bouquet sits on the windowsill.

I also added texture to the wall...sanded paint that adds a bit of farmhouse personality to this powder-room. The color is Delaware Putty by Benjamin Moore...Ultra White trim color also by Benjamin Moore.

I hope you enjoyed the little peep at my powder room...hope to bring you more photos of our renovation in the coming weeks.

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Susan Pilotto is a mixed-media artist who specializes in creating one of a kind miniature animals from recycled wool felt fabric. Susan graduated from Vancouver's Capilano College with a Diploma in Studio Art.